B.C. Thunder back in NRL ringette league

The B.C. Thunder is returning to the National Ringette League after a one-season hiatus.

The 2012 Canadian champs took a one-year leave of absence from the senior women’s league to restructure the franchise.

Former Thunder coach Dale Hannesson is now the new owner. The team also announced the Thunder’s new coaches, Gino Pastro of Delta and Cathy Lipsett from Salmon Arm.

“This past season, B.C. Thunder took the time to rebuild the strength of their franchise, and we are very pleased to have them back on the ice,” said Ringette Canada’s director of high performance and events, Frances Losier, in a July 30 press release.

Lipsett, who will head coach Team B.C. at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, was a key member behind the bench with the Thunder in 2012, while Pastro spent last season coaching the Lower Mainland under-19 AA team and the top open A team in B.C.

“We are all extremely excited to have an ownership group, coaches and players committed to getting the B.C. Thunder back on the ice for the 2014/15 season,” said Hannesson, who helped coach the Thunder in their inaugural season in the NRL in 2011. “Gino and Cathy join a strong group of committed NRL veterans, and the future looks very promising for the Thunder franchise.”

Tryouts begin the week of Aug. 25.